A number of people who couldn't attend for various reasons have asked how the Family History Day turned out. It was a rainy day that didn't clear until the morning was over. The WFGS members met early - 8:00. Three computers were set up in the library and tables were arranged and rearranged in the auditorium while the Greeters set up in the foyer and laid out their pedigree charts in their own preparation room. The Material Committee had done a thorough job in supplying enough signs and other necessities. The first guests arrived early and the greeters were soon overwhelmed. I rounded up a few people from the auditorium and headed to the greeter's room myself. I soon had one woman ready to go find some ancestors so we headed off to the census tables. Gayle Sweet was manning the 1885 book but already knew of the family being researched. The guest was now officially happy. From there we went to the computers. There was already a waiting line so we got some coffee and donuts and I left her in the library waiting for her turn with a computer guru. I checked back some time later and Janet Myers was running off census copies of the woman's family in 1900 Chicago. The computer committee had brought in their own printers as well. Others were now waiting, too, but we only had the three computers - plus three others that belonged to the Senior Center. It wasn't long before Cynthia Dean and Evan Strohl cranked up those other computers and took some of the load off of Bruce Rova, Janet Myers and Sharon Mosley. That was typical of the event. Members stepped in and did whatever it took to make things work. We had plenty of excellent volunteers. The number of computers was the only limiting factor. By 11:30 about 30 people had been helped. We had 25 families sign up and some scouts whose names we didn't get. Not too bad for a really rainy, blustery day. Everyone who participated in helping got at least a little business. The marriage records, web site, public library station and the Indian and African American stands got questions. The refreshments held out. The Membership Committee handed out a lot of applications and the Resource Committee threw together some folders on the spot to get out even more info to the departing visitors. Maybe some of them will come back and join. I hope so. The most patient of all were the Census Committee members. Contrary to what I had thought would be the busiest station, they got very few visitors. Nevertheless they stuck it out with good spirits to the end. We learned a few lessons. The census lookups and marriage record lookups can be handled by two people. We can probably do the whole thing in the auditorium without being overcrowded. And, we need more computers. A lot more. At least ten. Twenty would be better. We found it took on average about an hour to process one visitor through the computer station. Some spent two hours. And we need a few more greeters in the beginning when everyone shows up at once. If we do this again, we will have to solve the problem of not enough computers. Everything else worked better than I had hoped. Everyone did more than enough to make the visitors welcome and happy with their discoveries. And WFGS members seemed genuinely happy that they had helped other people get a start on their family history. Perhaps the most important thing we learned is that we can all work together with very little guidance to make something as complex as the Family History Day go off without a hitch. It says a lot about WFGS members' knowledge and ability. Jerry Merritt

Congratulations on your successful Family History Day. You took on a difficult task, worked it out and made a lot of people happy. I could not go but I do want to give all of you a big "Atta boys and girls!!!!" Dot Brown

Does anybody remember which version of FTM somebody wrote about a while back and said it was not good, or the least favorite? Somebody sent me a Version 16 that he bought at a discount book store for $7.98. It's supposed to be new, but it looks to me like the box had been opened before. Should I take a chance on this? Need advice. Does anybody like Version 16? (Yes, Lee, I'm still using Version 4. I like it.) Cynthia

If it works for you great. :-) I think version 16 if good, I have it but don't really use it much. I am a RootsMagic person. I keep several different programs to know a LITTLE about each. The 2008 version is the one that most folks don't seem to like. ----- Original Message ----- From: "cgdean" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 8:01 AM Subject: [FL-WFGS] Family Tree Maker Versions > Does anybody remember which version of FTM somebody wrote about a while > back > and said it was not good, or the least favorite? > > Somebody sent me a Version 16 that he bought at a discount book store for > $7.98. It's supposed to be new, but it looks to me like the box had been > opened before. Should I take a chance on this? Need advice. Does > anybody like Version 16? > > (Yes, Lee, I'm still using Version 4. I like it.) > > Cynthia > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >